Counting down the five largest ever LEGO sets

A new king has arisen and stolen the throne, by over 1500 pieces. With the arrival of 75192 Millennium Falcon, the title of biggest ever LEGO set has been claimed by any and all measures – but which other sets fill out the top five? 

Today, LEGO Star Wars 75192 Millennium Falcon was announced as the largest ever LEGO set. The biggest ever LEGO set ever used to be a lot harder to define. Back when I was a child in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was often a large disparity between piece count, size and price – different sets in a given year could hold the title in each of those categories. Since the mid 2000s, everything has coalesced and sets have emerged in a much clearer fashion. With the exclusion of a single LEGO Serious Play set, the top five largest ever LEGO sets clearly emerge.

#5 – LEGO Ghostbusters 75827 Firehouse Headquarters 

The fact that 75827 Firehouse Headquarters was released at all still amazes me. This is the ultimate example of AFOLs flexing their influence on the LEGO Group and getting something that would never have been made otherwise. While a much panned reboot did technically correspond with this set, there is no way it was greenlit on anything less than the LEGO Group’s confidence that a bunch of 1980s kids who are now gainfully employed adults would pick it up in droves. It is truly an amazing set, with a level of internal detail which would make any modular building extremely jealous. It will be interesting to see how long it is before an established franchise other than Star Wars gets this level of love based on confidence in the AFOL market. Currently 75827 reins supreme in that category, as well as making the top five biggest sets. Perhaps in 20 years we can get that UCS Hogwarts that the LEGO Group never gave us…

#4 – The LEGO NINJAGO Movie 70620 NINJAGO City

2017 is shaping up as something of a banner year for collectors – and also their credit card provider. 70620 NINJAGO City joins the new Millennium Falcon in giving 2017 two slots in the top five largest LEGO sets – that is no small feat. NINJAGO City stands out among its peers for several reasons. It is a testimony to the staying power of the LEGO Group’s modular building line that a play structure this big would be approved. Even more than that though, is the fact that 70620 is unique to this list as the only offering not based on a world renowned landmark or beloved sci-fi franchise. Every other set on this list hails from something with a huge established fan base completely outside of LEGO lovers. NINJAGO is entirely the brainchild of the LEGO Group and has had to generate its entire fan base internally with no help from Lucasfilm or any other media conglomerate.

#3 – LEGO Star Wars 10179 Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon

While the Taj Mahal reigned as the highest piece count of all time, it was eclipsed in every other way by this 2007 masterpiece. Footprint, subject matter, and cost made 10179 the stuff of legend. More than any other product from the LEGO Group, this is the set is responsible for launching the LEGO aftermarket from the exclusive domain of hobbyists into a bona fide investment. Click on any cliche article claiming that LEGO sets are worth more than gold, and the accompanying image is this set. Its astronomical aftermarket price is hard to comprehend, especially for a sealed copy. However, that crazy appreciation is probably what fans have to thank for the glorious, if expensive, re-release that was just announced – there is clearly still a market for this subject matter, even if collectors have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Like the original Death Star model, it will be interesting to see what happens to the aftermarket prices for this original version now that it has been eclipsed.

#2 – LEGO 10189 Taj Mahal 

The Taj Mahal roared over the LEGO collecting world like a tidal wave when it was released back in 2008. The LEGO Group had been releasing larger models and even a few based on landmarks since the early 2000s, but this was something new. It was such an unbelievable departure in terms of piece count – nothing released before even came close aside from the original LEGO Star Wars UCS Falcon. 10143 Death Star from 2005, the second place slot holder before this release, was outdone to the tune of over 2,000 pieces. This was part of a new class of sets, with piece counts closing in on 6,000. It was unheard of until the Taj Mahal, and to this day remains a very exclusive club. 10189’s piece count of 5,922 kept it as the king of the mountain until the announcement of 75192 Millennium Falcon. A reign of exactly a decade is no small feat – we salute you 10189, that was quite a run that you had.

Update: This set was re-released as LEGO Creator Expert 10256 Taj Mahal on November 27, 2017, with a piece count of 5,923. The additional piece that was added to the set is a brick separator.

#1 – LEGO Star Wars 75192 Millennium Falcon

Behold, the new king of the hill, cream of the crop, lord of all LEGO – 75192 Millennium Falcon. The milestone that this set is cannot be understated. To think that the LEGO Group can legitimately release a set of this size and at this price point is mind blowing, and a testimony to the unbelievable global power of both the LEGO and Star Wars brands. I am not even sure what to call 75192. It is certainly not a playset or a toy. Collector’s item perhaps – this product is in a class all its own and will likely remain there for years. While its predecessor was a perfect masterpiece, designers have none the less found ways to improve on that previous success. While the price is a bitter pill to swallow, there is no doubt that the LEGO Group has hit it out of the park with the new king of all sets.

The top five largest LEGO sets is a truly fascinating list to examine, while also being a frustrating reminder of sets that have been retired and now command high secondary market prices. The new Falcon displaces 10214 Tower Bridge from the list, and it will be interesting to see how much longer 75827 Firehouse Headquarters holds on and what rises from the designers at the LEGO Group to take its place.

75192 Millennium Falcon, 10256 Taj Mahal, 75827 Firehouse Headquarters and 70620 NINJAGO City are available now at shop.LEGO.com. You can help support Brick Fanatics’ work by using our affiliate links.

LEGO Star Wars 75192 Millennium Falcon will be released on October 1, with early access for LEGO VIPs on September 14.

The LEGO Star Wars: The Last Jedi range is released on September 1, with triple VIP points on all LEGO Star Wars orders from then until Sunday, September 3.